Nut-branding machine



A. N. MASSEY.

NUT BRANDING MACHINE. I APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29.1919- 1,403,436,Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- A. N. MASSEY.

NUT BRANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION ms!) OCT. 29, 1919.

Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- A. N. MASSEY. NUT BRANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION F!LED OCT. 29, I919.

Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

UNITED star ALFRED N. IlIfiSSE-Y. OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

NUT-BRAI-IDING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

Application filed fictober 29, 1919; Serial No. 334,135.

yr 7 A A 0 all unto/n it may concern.

Be it lrnowu that I, ALFRED F M snr, a

citizen of the United r-m tiau Franciscm in the county of San Franciscoand State of California, have invented a new and useful Nut-Branding liiachine. of which the following is a specification his invention amachine or branding nuts.

Heretofore there has been no means ly which. he orisrin and quality of:uts could be determined by the consumer unless the nuts were PZlJKtl incartons, or the like, which an expensive and unnecessary mauuer ofhandling them.

The main object of the invention th PIQVlSlOIl of a simple and cheapmachine which will brand or mark nuts, par rcularly walnuts,automatically with great faci and in great quantities.

lVith these and other in view. the invention further resides in thesundry details of construction and in the combination and arrangement ofparts of the machine for carrying out the purposes of the inventionhereinbefore more fully described and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the following specification and the accompanying drawings. theinvention is illustrated in the form considered the best, but is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to such form, because it isc being embodied in other forms; and it is also to be understood that inand by the claims following the description it is intended to cover theinvention in whatever form it may be embodied.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the nut brandingmachine,

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the chine on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takenthrough the hopper and feeding wheel to illustrate the format-ion of thepocket in the periphery there of and the manner inwhich the pockets arecharged with the nuts,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4- ofFig. 3,

Figure 5 is a similar view to Fig, 3 showing' the Stamper in operation,and

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a modified embodiment of the invention.

The embodiment of the machine shown particularly in Figures 1 toinclusive consists, preferably, of a suitable Supporting frame 1arranged on opposite sides of a wheel 2, which is iournaled as at 3 onthe s l frames, The periphery of the wheel is channeled and divided intochambers or pockets .4: by tran verse partitions 5. :irrang over theperiphery of the wheel and in close proximity thereto is a hopper 6supported by the frames 1 through the bracket arms 7. The hopper ispreferably bottomless and has its side walls converged toward theperiphery of the wheel so that the discharge opening will lie whollywithin the plane of the channel in the wheel. In some instances it maybe. found desirable to provide the hopper with a bottom formed withasuitable discharge opening.

The wheel receives its motion from a suitable source of power and is,preferably, rotated in the direction of the arrow X and s adapted toreceive in its chambers or, pockets l nuts from the hopper 6 asillustrated in Figure 3. The pockets 4t are preferably formed with arounded bottom with the side walls converging thereto of such size' thatnumber 2 size or grade of nuts will rest onthe bottom or he pockets,this size of nut is approximately from of an inch to an incr in diameterand is indicated by Y in '-Tlie pockets are also of such size as toreceive in their upper portions number one size or grade of nuts rangingfrom 1%; to 1'} inches in diameter, as indicated by Z in Figure 3. i

In order to prevent more than one nut from entering a pocket at a timefrom the hopper and in order to prevent the nuts from being crushedduring the operation of the Fizz. 3.

machine, a restricter or scraper 8 is arranged lowermost position. Itwill be readily seen that upon adjusting the position of the restricter8 by means of the set screw 8*, the height of the restricter may beregulated with respect to the eriphery of the wheel 2, as illustrated byull and dotted lines 1n Figures 3 and i. In the dotted line position ofthe restricter, only one nut of the number 2 grade will be permitted toremain in the pockets l. as they pass from under the hopper. strictermay be adjusted to any position for this purpose according to the sizeof nutto be stamped. To permit the adjustment of the restricter 8 to theposition shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, the upper edge of thetransverse partitions 5 are notched or cut away as at 12, as clearlyshown in Figures 3 and 4. The restricter 8, which is of substantiallythe same width as that of the pockets, has its lower end reduced as at13, in a manner to correspond with the cut away portions 12 in thepartitions. The lower edge of this reduced portion 13 is beveled on itsinner face as at 13 so that in the event of a jamming of the nutsin thepockets, the restricter will be lifted against the pressure of thesprings 11 and permit the jamming to be relieved through a suitableopening 14.- in the lower end of the front wall of the hopper.

As the nuts inthe pockets 4 pass from beneath the hopper they arecarried by the wheel to a stamping mechanism consisting of a rotarystamp 15.

The stamping means consists of a scalloped or star wheel or disk, thescallops being of substantially the same length as that of the pockets 4in the wheel 1, each having mounted therein stamps or dies 16 hearingthe name of the producer, his trade-mark 'or. any other characterizingsymbol or identi fication to be transferred or imprinted on the surfaceof the nut. The stamps are supplied with inlr by a rotary pad 17 alsohavlng a scalloped periphery to mesh or interengagewith the rotarystamper 15, the projecting portions of the periphery of the rotary pad17 reaching the surface of the stamps or dies 16. The pad 17 may beotherwise of any suitable and approved construction. c

It will'be observed that the hopper 6 and stamping mechanism 15 arearranged, preferably. over the wheel 2 and on opposite sides of thevertical through the wheel 2.

y with a gear 19 The wheel 2 and the stamping mechanism may be operatedby any suitable means whichwill properly time or synchronize operationof the Stamper relative to the pockets inthe wheel 2. In the presentinstance, the wheel 2 is driven by a gear 18 meshing secured to the sideof the wheel, and which gear 18 is mounted on a shaft 20 journaled inbracket arms of It will also be noted that the re;

the frames 1 and connected to a suitable source of power. The stamper 15must be moved radially relatively to the periphery of the wheel 2 inorder to allow or compensate for the varying sizes of nuts which may bestamped. This is provided for automatically by mounting the rotarystamper 15 on a rocker arm 22 pivotally supported as at 23 to thehopper. A. spring 24 exerts a pressure on the arm 22 to maintain thestamper 15 against the periphery of the wheel 2. In order to prevent thestamps 16 from contacting with the bottoms of the pockets La stop 25 maybe provided to be normally engaged by the rocker arm and limit theinward movement of the stamper 15. The stamper 15 is actuated from theshaft 20 through suitable gearing, such as a chain 26. The pad 17 is,preferably, mounted over the stamper 1.5 and is supported in, positionby arms 27 pivoted at 28 to the rocker arm 22. A tension spring 29connecting the arms 22 and 27 normally maintains the pad 17 yieldably inengagement with the, Stamper 15, whilph will actuate the pad in unisontherewit It will be apparent that the stamper 15 will automaticallyadjust itself to properly stamp or brand the nuts according to the sizeof the nut being stamped, and that after the nuts have been stamped theywill. be carried around by the wheel 2 until they drop by gravity onconveyor 30 or a suitable receptacle which may be provided.

In Figure 6 a modified form of the invention is shown, wherein thepocketed wheel 2 is dispensed with or replaced by an endless belt 30training over the pulleys or sprocket wheels 31 and 31 journaled in thesupporting frame The belt carries on its outer surface a series ofmembers 33 which are formed with; pockets correspond- 1ng exactly withthe pockets 4 in the Wheel 2. Arranged at one end of the frame andsupported over the belt is a hopper 34, corresponding to the hopper 6 inall details and having a restricter 35 for the purposes set forth in thepreceding embodiment. The stamping mechanism 36 is arranged, preferably,at the other end of the frame and cooperates with the conveyor 33 tostamp the nuts contained in the pockets thereof in the same manner asabove described. 7 The stamping mechanism is supplied with ink ortransferring substance by means of the pad or supply element 37 arrangedto mesh and cooperate with the stamps 38 of the stamping mechanism. Themachine of this embodiment is operated from a suitable source of powersuitably connected to drive the sprocket wheel 31. As the nuts arestamped be clearthat applicant has invented a machine that will rapidlyand etliciently brand nuts, and it is to be understood that theconstruction herein shown and described may be varied in details ofconstruction and combination of parts. which variations fall within thescope of th appended claims.

ll hat is claimed is l. A machine for branding nuts comprising a movablemember having an endless series of pockets therein, a bottomless hopperassociated with said mem. and having the bottom thereof closed by thesaid member. whereby the nuts in the hopper will be received in thepockets of said member, a load restricter at the. rear end of saidhopper arranged substantially at right-angles to the periphery of themember for permitting only each pocket as the one nut to remain inlatter asses from the hopper, said restricter being yeildably mounted tomove in a direction away from the periphery ot'the memher to ineffectiveposition when undue pressure is exerted thereagainst, and a stampingmechanism associated with said member and arranged to automaticallystamp the nuts in the pockets as said member is operated.

A machine for branding nuts, a movable member having a series of pocketstherein, a bottomless container disposed over the pockets in said memberand closed thereby; a load restricter associated with said hopper andwith the pockets in said member for regulating the number of nutsreceived in said pockets, the transverse partitions of said pocketshaving their upper edges cut away for a distance at points in alinementwith the restricter. whereby the restricter may extend for a distanceinto said member as the latter is operated.

3. In a mach ne for branding nuts, a movable member having a series ofpockets therein. a bottomless container disposed over the pockets insaid member and closed thereby, a load restricter associated with saidhopper and with the pockets in said member for regulating the number ofnuts received in said pockets, the transverse partitions of said pocketshaving the upper edges cut away for a distance at points in alinementwith the restricter, whereby the restricter may extend for a distanceinto said member as the latter is operated, said restricter beingyieldably mounted to become inoperative under a predetermined pressure.

l. In a nut branding machine, a wheel having a series of pockets in theperiphery thereof. a container arranged over the whee and having anopening in the portion overlying the periphery thereof, a restricter associated with the container adjacent one wall thereof and adapted toregulate the number of nuts contained in the pockets as the latter passfrom under the container, said restricter having an adjustment radial tosaid wheel, the "transverse partitions of said pockets having notches intheir upper edges so as to permit said restricter to ere tend into theperiphery of the wheel when the latter is in operation.

53. In a nut branding machine, a wheel having a series of pocketsin theperiphery thereof, a container arranged over the wheel and having anopening in the portion overlying the periphery thereof, a' restricterassociated with the container adjacent one wall, thereof and adapted toregulate the number of nuts contained in the pockets as the latter passtrom under the container, said restricter having an adjustment radial tosaid wheel, the transverse partitions of said pockets havin notches intheir upper edges soas to permit said restricter to errtend into theperiphery of the wheel when the latter is in operation, and meansyieldably supporting said restricter and permit ting the same to moveoutwardly from the periphery of the wheel when the nuts become jammed,said container having an opening in a side wall thereof to be uncoveredby the rest-ricter upon the last mentioned movement thereof, whereby thejamming ot the nuts will be relieved;

6. A nut branding machine comprising a pair of spaced standards, a wheelarranged between thestandards and journaled there in, said wheel havinga plurality of pockets in the periphery thereof, a hopper arranged overthe periphery of the wheel and supported by said standards, the bottomof said hopper conforming substantially to the contour of said wheel andhaving the portion thereof overlying the periphery of the wheel formedwith a slot, a stamping device arranged over the periphery'of the wheeladjacent the hopper, said stamping device comprising a shiftable armhaving a rotatable stamper mounted thereon, an ink applying pad arrangedto engage the periphery of said stamper and rotatably mounted on an armpivoted to said first mentioned arm, and means connecting said arms forholding said applying member into engagement with said Stamper, a gearsecured to said wheel, a drive shaft journaled in said standards andoverlying said wheel and means for driving said gear and Stamper fromsaid drive shaft.

7. A nut branding machine comprising a pair of spaced standards, a wheelarranged between said standards and journaled thereon, the periphery ofsaid wheelbeing formed with a plurality of nut receiving pockets, ahopper supported by said standards aranged over the periphery of thewheel at one side of a vertical line through the axis of the wheel, thebottom of said hopper conforming substantially to the periphery of thewheel and the portion thereof overlying the wheel formed with a slot todischarge the nuts therethrough, a nut stampin device arranged over theperiphery 0 the wheel and at the other side of said vertical line saidstamping device including a movable Stamper, said pockets in the wheelbeing adapted to travel from the hopper to the said stamping device whenthe wheel is rotated and to have the nuts discharged therefrom bygravity, after being stamped.

8. A nut branding machine comprising a pair of spacedstandards, a wheelarranged between the standards and journaled therein, said wheel havinga plurality of pockets in the periphery thereof, a hopper arranged overthe periphery of the wheel and supported by said standards, the bottomof said hopper conforming substantially to the contour of said wheel andhaving the portion thereof overlying the periphery of the wheel formedwith a slot, a stamping device arranged over the periphery of the wheeladjacent the hopper, said stamping device comprising a shiftable armhaving a rotatable stamper mounted thereon, an ink applying pad arrangedto engage the eri hery of said stamper, and means for liolcling saidapplying member into engagement with said stamper, a gear secured tosaid wheel, a drive shaftjournaled in said standards, and means fordriving said gearand stamper from said drive wheel.

9. A machine for branding nuts com rising a movable member having an eness series of pockets therein, a hopper having an opening in the bottomthereof associated with said member whereby the nuts in the hopper willbe received inthe pockets of said member, a load restricting memberassociated with said wheel for permitting only one nut to be received ineach pocket as the member passes over the hopper, said restricter beingadjustable to positions for rendering it operatable with nuts ofselected size, said restricter also being mounted to automatically movefrom efiective operative positions when undue pressure is exertedthereagainst, and a stamping mechanism associated with said member andarranged to automatically stamp the nuts in the pocket as said member isoperated.

10. A machine for branding nuts, a movable member having a series ofpockets therein, a bottomless container disposed over the pockets insaid member and closed thereby, a load restricter associated with saidhopper and with the pockets in said member for regulating the number ofnuts received in said pockets, thetransverse partitions of said pocketshaving their upper edges cut away for a distance at points in alinementwith the restricter, whereby the restricter may extend for a distanceinto said member as the latter is operated, said restricter beingadjustable to positions rendering it operatable with nuts of selectedsize.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set In hand.

' ALFRED N. MASSEY.

